The Banská Bystrica region is located in the southern part of Middle Slovakia. The region has common borders with Hungary and the regions of Nitra, Trencin, Zilina, Presov and Kosice.

The territory covered by the region of Banská Bystrica--with the capital Banská Bystricacomprises one of the largest self-governing regions in Slovakia, spreading over an area of 90.455 km2. The region provides substantial space for its 660.110 inhabitants, resulting in a population density of 7,297 persons per square km. Banská Bystrica is divided into 13 districts, namely Banská Bystrica, Banská Stiavnica, Brezno, Detva, Krupina, Luenec, Poltár, Revúca, Rimavská Sobota, Veký Krtis, Zvolen, Zarnovica and Ziar nad Hronom. These districts contain 516 municipalities, 24 of which are towns.

The Banska Bystrica region offers all of the typical features of Slovakia natural beauty, intriguing history embodied in unique cultural monuments, richness and variety in art and craft production, a multitude of opportunities for recreation and lovers of sport, as well as interesting offers for potential investors.

The region itself is located in the southern part of NUTS II - Central Slovakia. In regards to the qualities of the regional and natural environment, Banska Bystrica belongs to one of the most important regions in Slovakia. The region contains the most total protected nature conservancy area in Slovakia. Four national parks, 4 protected landscape areas and a number of national nature reserves, protected areas, localities and objects with the lowest grade of protection stretch throughout the territory of the region.

Three towns  Banská Bystrica, Banská Stiavnica, and Kremnica--were declared as municipal relics reservations, and Banská Stiavnica was signed onto the List of World Cultural Heritage. Spania dolina, Stiavnické Bane and Sebechleby Stará Hora are seats of relic reservations in the country.

The region of Banská Bystrica has a significant position in terms of its natural reserves, minable mineral resources and rich stocks of mineral, thermal and medical water. Two spa towns (Sliac, Dudince) and four other spa locations are situated in the region. The territory of the region has extremely beautiful countryside with virgin natural sceneries that are largely used in the northern part as centers of winter tourist activities.